Asm. Joe Danielsen

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey insurance companies selling homeowners, renters, personal liability, or excess liability policies to offer firearm liability coverage as an optional add-on. It directly affects insurers authorized to sell these policies in the state. The coverage must provide minimum limits of $100,000 per person for injury/death, $300,000 for multiple injuries/deaths, and $25,000 for property damage arising from firearm use in public. The policy must be available on all new, renewed, or existing policies delivered in New Jersey after the bill takes effect. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill would implement ranked-choice voting for New Jersey voters in several key elections, including Governor, State Senate, State Assembly, U.S. Senate, U.S. House, and presidential primaries and general elections for presidential electors. Voters would rank candidates in order of preference on ballots, and votes would be counted in rounds: if no candidate reaches the election threshold (50%+1 for most offices, 33%+1 for Assembly), the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated and their votes transfer to the next ranked choice. The process continues until one candidate meets the threshold or the required number of winners are elected. This change directly affects all voters participating in these specific state and federal elections.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires school districts in New Jersey to verify parental involvement when enrolling or withdrawing a child for the first time. Parents or legal guardians must be physically present (or provide a notarized letter if absent) and show valid ID. They must also submit custody agreements/orders, and school applications must ask if a custody case is pending. The law applies to all school districts and takes effect after the first full school year following enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires boards of trustees at New Jersey State colleges/universities and county colleges to include two employee members. These members must be recommended by labor organizations representing staff, appointed by the Governor, and serve two-year terms (with initial one-year terms for some). Employee members have full voting rights except on matters involving staff employment or working conditions. The law directly affects all State and county college boards by mandating staff representation on governance bodies.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes New Jersey registrars to issue certified electronic copies of vital records - including birth, death, marriage, domestic partnership, and civil union certificates - alongside traditional paper copies. It specifies that authorized requesters (such as the record subject, family members, government agencies, or legal representatives) can receive these electronic copies upon request. The Commissioner of Health must establish security standards for electronic copies, including encryption, identity verification, data privacy protocols, and authentication features to prevent forgery. Registrars may charge fees for electronic copies but must ensure they meet the same legal standards as paper certified copies.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to create a statewide plan within one year to reduce public exposure to lead in soil and drinking water. The plan must use existing soil test data from cleanup sites, public water testing, and private well results to identify high-risk geographic areas and prioritize public funds for remediation. It also mandates the DEP to develop a public education program about lead health risks and prevention measures. The plan must be posted online, submitted to the legislature, and updated every five years.

Maddy summaryThis bill, now law as P.L.2025, c.272, provides employment protections for New Jersey paid first responders (including police, firefighters, EMTs, and 9-1-1 dispatchers) diagnosed with work-related PTSD. It prohibits employers from firing, harassing, or discriminating against employees who take leave for qualifying PTSD treatment, requiring reinstatement to their previous position after documented recovery. Employers violating these protections face civil fines ($5,000 for first violation, $10,000 for subsequent), court-ordered reinstatement, lost wages, and attorney fees. The law applies only when PTSD arises from on-the-job trauma or vicarious trauma experienced during official duties.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's Bill A-1119 would exempt sales of recreational safety helmets from the state's sales and use tax. This affects consumers purchasing helmets that meet safety standards for activities like biking, skiing, or snowboarding. The bill defines qualifying helmets as those either required by law for use on bikes/motorcycles/skateboards or specifically designed for downhill skiing, snowboarding, or snowmobiles. The exemption would apply to purchases made after the bill takes effect (three months post-enactment), but the bill is still pending in committee as of its January 2026 introduction.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A2529) amends New Jersey law to allow certain substitute teachers to enroll in the Teachers’ Pension and Annuity Fund (TPAF). Currently, TPAF eligibility typically applies to regular classroom teachers, but this bill expands it to include specific substitute educators who meet defined criteria. The key provision modifies eligibility rules under N.J.S.18A:66-2 to permit these substitute teachers to contribute to and eventually receive retirement benefits from the fund. It directly affects substitute teachers who qualify under the new enrollment rules, providing them access to a retirement savings system previously unavailable to them. The change focuses on concrete eligibility expansion without altering existing benefit calculations or funding mechanisms.

Maddy summaryThis bill restructures the governance of New Jersey's State Health Benefits Program (SHBP), which provides health coverage to state employees. It creates a new 11-member State Health Benefits Commission (replacing the previous structure) and a separate 12-member Plan Design Committee. The Commission includes the Treasurer, agency heads, and members appointed by labor unions representing state employees, while the Plan Design Committee focuses specifically on designing health plan benefits like medical, dental, and prescription coverage. These changes affect all state employees enrolled in the SHBP by altering who oversees their health plan offerings and administration. The bill does not change the actual benefits provided, only the decision-making bodies managing the program.